Public transport fares across Ghana will increase by 8% from Saturday, September 26, 2026, following an agreement between the government and transport operators after weeks of negotiations over a new fare structure.
The adjustment follows engagements between the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) to review the cost of operating commercial vehicles.
The latest agreement brings an end to the consultations over the 2026 fare review, with the revised rates expected to apply to commercial public transport services, including trotros and shared taxis.
The discussions had been marked by a significant difference between the position of the transport unions and the government’s proposed adjustment.
The GPRTU had initially proposed a 30% increase, citing rising costs associated with fuel, vehicle maintenance, spare parts, lubricants, insurance and other operating expenses. The union later maintained that it would not accept an increase below 25%.
GPRTU Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, said the union had rejected a proposal from the Ministry of Transport for an increase ranging between 10% and 15%, insisting that the cost pressures facing commercial vehicle operators required a higher adjustment.
“Our expectation is strong on the 30% increment. Our last meeting that we had last Friday, we made the ministry understand that we are not looking at anything less than 25%,” he said in an interview on JoyNews.
Mr Amoah pointed to increases in insurance premiums, DVLA charges and the cost of vehicle parts as some of the factors behind the union’s position.
According to him, annual insurance premiums for a 15-seater vehicle had risen from GH¢837 to GH¢994, while premiums for a 23-passenger Sprinter increased from GH¢930 to GH¢1,194. Taxi insurance premiums, he added, had also increased from about GH¢701 to GH¢744.
The union had also raised concerns about the impact of fuel prices on operators. Earlier in September, the government had proposed measures including a GH¢2-per-litre intervention on diesel as part of efforts to cushion operators and commuters during the fare discussions.
A joint team comprising representatives of the Ministry of Transport, GPRTU and GRTCC was subsequently tasked with reviewing the various cost components and making recommendations to guide the final fare decision.
The negotiations continued as transport operators faced renewed pressure from higher petroleum prices. The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) subsequently raised the price floor for petrol and diesel from September 16, further intensifying discussions over the proposed fare adjustment.
With the latest agreement, however, commuters will pay 8% higher fares from September 26, bringing the prolonged fare review process to a conclusion.
Transport operators had previously been cautioned against charging passengers above officially approved fares while the negotiations were ongoing.
The new rates will apply across the affected commercial public transport services in accordance with the fare structure agreed by the stakeholders.
